Executive Orders address three fires in Colorado

DENVER — Friday, June 22, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper signed three new Executive Orders related to different fires burning in Colorado.

One order amends the disaster declaration for the High Park Fire in Larimer County and authorizes an additional $5 million to the state’s Disaster Emergency Fund to pay for firefighting efforts. An earlier Executive Order authorized $20 million for the fire.

The High Park Fire has qualified for federal reimbursement of 75 percent for firefighting costs.

A second order declares a disaster for the Springer Fire, which started on June 18 in Park County. The order authorizes $1 million to the state’s Disaster Emergency Fund to pay for firefighting efforts.

A third order declares a disaster for the Stuart Hole Fire, which started June 4, also in Larimer County. The order authorizes $200,000 to the state’s Disaster Emergency Fund to pay for firefighting efforts.

Disaster declarations authorize the transfer of any funds in the state budget to the Disaster Emergency Fund, which is not funded unless money is needed. The state is currently tapping reserve funds and other appropriations that are not encumbered in the current fiscal year. Money from other sources will be available at the start of the new fiscal year July 1.

State law does not allow people who have lost homes or property in the fire to seek reimbursement from these disaster funds.

Each of the signed Executive Orders can be found here. All three orders were signed by the governor on Thursday evening.